An Open Letter to Mrs. & Mr. Crecelius,

To all members, former members, and prospects of the defunct Traditional Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan Association (TTCA),

This letter addresses the undeniable decline of the TTCA, originally founded by Choi Young-sik and previously known as the Traditional Taekwondo Chung Do Association. At the outset, the TTCA comprised seven schools, with half being private or part-time. By August 2000, only two full-time schools remained.

John Charles LaVanchy stands as the most senior student under Choi, Young-sik. He earned his 1st Degree black belt from Kim, Dong-hoon, who sponsored Choi. From 1974 to 1976, Kim replaced Choi in Evansville, IN, where Choi lived with LaVanchy, forming a lifelong friendship. Choi eventually took over the school in Louisville, a gift from Chung Nak-young, the first person to bring Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan to Evansville and Indiana/Illinois/Kentucky in 1967.

The TTCA has never surpassed eight schools, and about half have consistently operated as private or part-time institutions. Over the years, particularly up to 2023, several schools boasted student populations exceeding 30. By 2022, Muhlenberg County Taekwondo rose to become the second-largest school within the TTCA in terms of paid memberships. However, the situation began to unravel in early spring 2022 as numerous schools hastily departed. By July 2022, the TTCA dwindled to four schools, excluding the Ohio Valley school, deemed the “HQ school,” with Muhlenberg County Taekwondo (MCTKD) being the largest under Mr. Johnson.

My direct engagement with Mr. Johnson in spring 2022 revealed his concerns over potential rank loss for his students should they leave the TTCA for the Kido Kwan™. The underlying discontent among TTCA instructors regarding leadership was no secret and was the catalyst for schools choosing to break away. In March 2022, the following schools were still listed: Ohio Valley Tae Kwon Do School, Muhlenberg County Tae Kwon Do, Edge Martial Arts, Traditional Ways Tae Kwon Do, Harrison County Tae Kwon Do School, Owensboro Traditional Tae Kwon Do School, Jasper School of Tae Kwon Do, and Henderson YMCA Tae Kwon Do.

By May 2022, two schools, Edge Martial Arts and Jasper, actively left the TTCA while remaining loyal to Choi, as their logos indicate. Owensboro also exited by July, reducing the TTCA to five schools: Ohio Valley, Muhlenberg County Taekwondo, Henderson YMCA Taekwondo, Traditional Ways Taekwondo, and Harrison County Taekwondo. Fall 2022 saw Traditional Ways, Harrison County, and Henderson also sever ties with the TTCA.

This left merely two operational schools in the TTCA by fall 2022: Ohio Valley and Muhlenberg County Taekwondo. It is crucial to note that Mrs. Crecelius was well aware of Mr. Johnson’s intentions, which is a clear indication of the responsibility that the Crecelius family bears regarding this decline. The TTCA’s struggles are not reflections of Choi Young-sik, whose indirect involvement ensured strong tournament attendance in fall 2022. At the time of Mr. Johnson’s passing, he maintained about 30 students, with over half regularly attending classes.

For clarity, Muhlenberg County Taekwondo was not recognized as a school during the first ten years of the TTCA! Under Mr. Johnson, who held a 2nd-degree black belt, Muhlenberg County Taekwondo only joined the TTCA in early 2006—ten years post-formation! While Mr. Johnson began training in 1973, his engagement was intermittent. He earned his 1st Degree black belt in 1985 under the World Taekwondo Association, achieving his 2nd Dan at the TTCA’s formation in 1996. He taught a semi-private class in Webster County in 1989 and secured his 3rd Degree black belt in 2006, followed by his 4th Degree on March 26, 2010.

The unfortunate passing of Mr. Johnson in August 2023 left his school in disarray, as he had yet to implement his comprehensive plan for Muhlenberg County Taekwondo. A select few were aware of his intentions to leave the TTCA, and he had already taken steps to rebrand his school’s image by removing the TTCA logo from his banner. This change was communicated to Katie Crecelius by Mrs. Kidd during a phone call, corroborated by a parent.

Despite having a solid plan, and with my relocation to the area already in progress, I resigned myself to the understanding that a significant majority of students (over 90%) would likely not return after the loss of a beloved instructor. The TTCA’s panic became evident as they found themselves with only one remaining school, Ohio Valley, losing crucial income as a result. In their desperation, they sought the return of a former 3rd-degree black belt who had been absent since 2011! The fact that Mr. Edwards had left Taekwondo due to medical or professional obligations in December 2011 highlights the questionable judgment in bringing back someone disconnected from the practice for so long, only to promote them shortly thereafter.

This letter serves to assert the facts surrounding the TTCA’s decline and to demand recognition for the pivotal roles played by key individuals, particularly Mr. Johnson and Choi, Young-sik. It is imperative that the history and contributions of these individuals are honored appropriately.

HISTORY of MCTKD:

Muhlenberg County Taekwondo (MCTKD) was not affiliated with the Taekwondo Teachers College Association (TTCA) until 2006, ten years after its formation. Under the instruction of Mr. Johnson, who holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt, MCTKD officially joined the TTCA in 2006. While the MCTKD webpage and Facebook page state that MCTKD was “established in 1973,” it is important to clarify that there was a high school club that started in 1973, taught by Mr. Odel Bingham, who founded a Korean Karate club at Central City High School. MCTKD has roots dating back to 1973, but it was not actually founded until 2006—33 years after the date listed.

 Mr. Bingham later opened a school with one of his students, Mr. Brandon Baker, and that school was named Central City Taekwondo Studio.

Mr. Johnson began his training in 1973 but had long periods of limited involvement in Taekwondo. He earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1985 under the World Taekwondo Association (WTA), followed by his 2nd Dan from the TTCA in 1996—11 years later, indicating his part-time involvement. At that time, he was teaching semi-private classes known as “Webster County Taekwondo Studio” inside Melissa’s School of Dance in Clay, KY. The Webster County studio started on April 1, 1989, (So, that means at the time of his passing Mr. Johnson had 34 years teaching experince running a club or a school) and it was considered an affiliate of “Central City Taekwondo” under Mr. Brandon Baker, both affiliated with the WTA. In 2006, Mr. Johnson earned his 3rd Degree Black Belt, marking another 10 years of part-time involvement. On March 26, 2010, he received his 4th Degree Black Belt.  

It’s important to note that taking time away from teaching or training does not reflect negatively on Mr. Johnson. During the 1980s, he was managing a full-time job, a wife, and three young children, with his oldest daughter being born in 1979. I started my training in 1977, which raises the question: should I consider our founding year to be 1977 or 2024?

 

On November 25, 2024, I contacted Mr. Edwards to arrange a meeting to discuss several issues that had arisen. Many members or associates associated with his organization (excluding Mr. Edwards) were engaging in derogatory remarks publicly while simultaneously proclaiming principles of “honor, discipline, and respect.” I observed numerous individuals linked to Mr. Edwards’s school beginning to make disparaging posts about myself, my institution, and my students. In contrast to several individuals within the TTCA and MCTKD organizations, I was resolute in preventing our members from posting misleading reviews on Google or Facebook, as had occurred previously with the MCTKD/TTCA factions. Additionally, some associated with MCTKD/TTCA even contacted the owner of our leased premises, requesting that we be removed due to our direct competition with their school.

After several delays on Mr. Edwards’s part, including the occurrence of an ice storm, I met with Mr. M. Jason Spicer and Mr. Edwards at Coffee Central, a local coffee shop, on January 13, 2025. Our discussions were cordial; I allowed Mr. Spicer and Mr. Edwards to express their concerns, and they listened attentively to our viewpoints. Although we did not depart as close acquaintances, we also did not part as adversaries. I assured them that I would implement improved measures to mitigate misunderstandings and hurt feelings. I emphasized that no one at MCTKD should be regarded as an enemy or competitor. My actual competition comprises activities such as dance, archery, football, soccer, volleyball, and similar pursuits—not other martial arts schools.

Our historical interactions affirm this position. I have consistently assisted and supported various martial arts schools, even those not affiliated with our organizations. A notable example is the well-designed and functional website I presented to the TTCA as a Christmas gift in 2021. This website included unlimited email accounts that could have been distributed to all members, enhancing the organization’s digital presence. Grandmaster Lavanchy praised it during our lunch at the VFW, where we are both members. While I shall withhold his remarks regarding Mrs. Crecelius’s potential reaction, he was entirely correct in his assessment.

Regarding Mrs. Crecelius’s reception of this gesture, it was, unfortunately, not positive. I am willing to provide the text messages, emails, or a summary of the phone conversation that ensued. Her primary concern was that she did not wish for an individual who was not a TTCA member to have control over their website. While I understood her perspective, I clarified that my intention was a gift without conditions, created in honor of both Grandmasters Lavanchy and Choi, with the intent of transferring it to her. She declined the offer and requested that I delete it, which I did after making a copy, as Grandmaster Lavanchy had advised, stating, “Ensure you CYA yourself with her.“

Furthermore, I have included a screenshot of a text message from Mr. Tom Crecelius dated August 12, 2023, 13 days before Mr. Johnson’s passing! At that time, I was in Muhlenberg County reviewing property, visiting family homesteads, and engaging with Mr. Johnson. He indicated that he had also communicated with Mr. Nick Sauer, a member of the group that departed the TTCA the previous fall. Although I did not request specific details, Mr. Johnson expressed concern that aligning himself with those who separated might lead to larger conflicts. This likely implies he may have also had discussions with the Jasper/Owensboro/Louisville group that exited in the prior spring.

Included is a copy of a text message from Mrs. Crecelius to Tooter Howton, sent mere days after the funeral, which confirms their awareness of Mr. Johnson’s discussions with the preceding fall’s departing group. It is evident that my receipt of the unexpectedly directed message from Mr. Crecelius stemmed from their perception of me as either a mediator or an outsider. Additionally, Mrs. Onalee Kidd was already reporting to the Crecelius camp, as Mr. Johnson had suspected.

The following text is captured from the MCTKD Facebook Message page, where Mrs. Onalee Kidd communicates a significant update after consulting with Mrs. Johnson and the TTCA, affectionately referred to as the “association.” This exchange highlights Mrs. Kidd’s proactive engagement with Mrs. Crelilus. Initially, they reached out to a promising local 3rd-degree black belt who also happens to be a pharmacist, but he ultimately declined the invitation to assume leadership of the club. This dialogue makes it clear that they were aware, at least in part, that Mr. Johnson had other aspirations for his school and students. Regrettably, it seems that the TTCA and Mrs. Kidd did not fully respect Mr. Johnson’s vision for the future.

More about Mrs. Onalee Kidds’s more recent actions on page two!

PART TWO (2) CLICK HERE (coming soon)